Trade Deadline Primer: AL East

Posted on: July 20, 2011 1:35 pm

Edited on: July 20, 2011 1:54 pm

By Eye On Baseball team

We're just about a week and a half to Major League Baseball's trade deadline, and the serious wheeling and dealing has yet to begin. As we continue our series of primers, we arrive in one of baseball's best divisions: The AL East. We know two teams are going to be buyers just as they are every single season. Let's check out all five, with the big news being the availability of a pitcher who just made his first All-Star Game.

OK, so, that's a lot. But notice they've only "inquired and discussed." That doesn't mean anything serious. And then we're presented with WEEI.com's report that the Red Sox are not "aggressively" pursuing anyone. That would contradict a report that the Red Sox were aggressive in trying to land Beltran. The biggest area of need would appear to be starting pitching, due to some injuries and underperformance, but it sounds like the Red Sox may only make minor moves and count on Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz returning to health as being enough to improve the club. If they stumble into a big losing streak here in the next few days, things might change, but the Red Sox are currently in playoff position by seven games. There's just no reason to do anything drastic, especially with Lester coming back soon and Buchholz eventually.

New York YankeesStatus: BuyersNeeds: Starting pitchingNotes: There was a brief rumor involving Beltran, but that was shot down pretty quickly by Bob Klapisch. Basically, the overwhelming majority of Yankees rumors thus far have been them staying after Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez. Catching prospect Jesus Montero's name has been thrown around, but Jon Heyman of SI.com tweeted that the Rockies wouldn't take any deal with Montero as the centerpiece. They'd reportedly be interested in the young slugger, just not with him being the best player coming back. So, yes, the Rockies are asking for a lot. The Yankees will have to decide how important it is to land Jimenez and move from there. If it becomes increasingly obvious that won't happen, the Yankees may move down to the Kuroda/Lilly range.

Tampa Bay RaysStatus: Ready to dealNeeds: Offensive punch, bullpen help.Players available:B.J. Upton, James ShieldsNotes: According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com, the Rays have put "everything on the table." That includes All-Star pitcher Shields, who may now become the focus -- instead of Jimenez -- of all the teams wanting a top-line starting pitcher. Olney notes the Reds are interested in Shields, and they certainly have the farm system to give the Rays something of value back. There are plenty of other teams in need of starting pitching, such as the Tigers, Rangers, Diamondbacks, Cardinals and Indians. Shields could become the hot name in trade rumors here in the next few days. As for Upton, Desmond Jennings is in the minors ready to step in as the center fielder and Upton is becoming increasingly more frustrating and expensive -- yet he has loads of talent. This might finally be the year he's dealt, with the Phillies, Braves and Nationals being reasonable destinations. Meanwhile, if the Rays can find a way to get hot here in the next few series, they'll likely look to bolster their lineup with a cheap bat. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Rays trade Upton and also try to play for this season, making them both a buyer and a seller. If they do fall several more games out of the race, more players like Johnny Damon and Casey Kotchman could also become available.

Toronto Blue JaysStatus: Mostly holdingPlayers available:Jon Rauch, Octavio Dotel, Frank Francisco, Jason Frasor, Shawn CampPossible matches: Cardinals, Pirates, Diamondbacks, Braves, PhilliesNotes: Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos recently told MLB.com that if he had to guess, he'd guess that they don't make any moves. But if you look at those five relief pitchers mentioned above, those are all free agents at the end of the season. Anthopoulos never said he wouldn't listen to any potential offers, so he's likely to be fielding calls from contending teams in need of bullpen help. The guess here is a couple of those five players get traded for unexciting prospects. So not much excitement to see here as the Jays gear for an AL East run in the near future.

Baltimore OriolesStatus: SellersPlayers available: Jeremy GuthriePossible matches: Reds, Cardinals, Tigers, DiamondbacksNotes: The only name that has really surfaced in legitimate trade rumors is Guthrie, and you can pretty well expect him to be gone before we turn the calendar to August. Take J.J. Hardy off the table, as he's now signed a three-year extension. Vladimir Guerrero and Derrek Lee are veteran bats, each on a one-year contract, so it's possible they'll come up in talks (of course, Guerrero's injury doesn't help). It's possible things are quiet here, which is weird with a team so far out of the race.

Post Deleted by Administrator

Trade Deadline Primer: AL East

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Since: Nov 14, 2006

Posted on: July 25, 2011 2:08 pm

Trade Deadline Primer: AL East

won't need to have responses like that, if we don't go into any bad stretches. So you're saying the Sox have been inconsistant and basically you're hoping they start playing more consistant baseball so they don't have to make up the differance by having to play above their heads. Because you and I both know that those types of response won't happen all the time.

The Red Sox staff WILL get Healthy,You mean HOPE they will get healthy

the offense is a Machine, Yes they are very good but pitching is the key...it seems you agree.

if the staff is healthy, There you go Hoping for that staff of yours to stay healthy...I find it funny how you were so sure they would be healthy and here you are saying IF....Just go with hope..because that's all your doing at this point.

they will be no bad streaks. doubt that. Every has bad streaks and with all that hoping going on it seems that a bad streak will happen again.

if i were u, i'd be far more worried about Colon & Garcia holding up down the stretch. Well after all the Yankees ARE a better pitching team this year with Colon and Garcia, stats back that up, but I agree the Yankees need another starter. In the event Colon or Garcia fade down the stretch or succumb to an injury.

P.S. i pray Cashman mortgages your future to get Jimenez (one hit wonder).You must be a very religious person. It seems all you do is hope and pray.

Since: Jul 23, 2011

Posted on: July 23, 2011 12:44 pm

Trade Deadline Primer: AL East

won't need to have responses like that, if we don't go into any bad stretches. The Red Sox staff WILL get Healthy,the offense is a Machine, if the staff is healthy, they will be no bad streaks. if i were u, i'd be far more worried about Colon & Garcia holding up down the stretch. P.S. i pray Cashman mortgages your future to get Jimenez (one hit wonder).

Since: Jan 20, 2008

Posted on: July 23, 2011 11:45 am

Trade Deadline Primer: AL East

Theo Epstien said on WEEI the other day hat the biggest move he will make is having Buchholz get healthy. The Sox lead the Majors in almost every offensive cat. there is, So going after a high profile batter doesnt make much sense and the Mets are saying that because they are willing to eat most of Beltran remaining contract they want at least one high prospect. I do think the sox will try to get some bullpen help considering the bust that Jenks has been but that is all they will do.

Since: May 15, 2011

Posted on: July 23, 2011 9:55 am

Trade Deadline Primer: AL East

The Red Sox are solid. Aside from a new shortstop, they do not need anyone. Beltran will just further complicate a crowded outfield. They have a lot of money invested in JD Drew who makes $14 million to back-up Josh Reddick. The Sox are intelligent enough to be avid with their interest in the market. That drives up the prices and hurts their competitors.

The Yankees are in desperate need of pitching. They will have to pay for it.

Since: Aug 14, 2008

Posted on: July 23, 2011 9:37 am

Trade Deadline Primer: AL East

I think Jamie Shields is the pitching gem that every team needing a pitcher should grab. The only problem for teams like Boston and the Yankee is that he plays in the same division. I don't think Tampa Bay is willing to trade with competition. I think the Cardinals should be aggressive on acquiring him. Maybe even the Reds.

Since: Jun 9, 2008

Posted on: July 23, 2011 2:06 am

Trade Deadline Primer: AL East

How about a number 2?? You worry about these two bums but not about AJ? The Yanks have CC and hope for a good start. I dont think lilly or Kuroda help much, there isnt a lot out there in the SP catagory. Hughes....not gonna get it done. Yes the Sox have some pitching issues but it looks like both Lester and Bucholz will be back and then they are the 1,2,3.

Since: Nov 14, 2006

Posted on: July 22, 2011 1:13 pm

Trade Deadline Primer: AL East

Lets end this silly debate of the AL East 2011. Boston started 14-15, lost 3 games in a row: Response 16-4. They then lose 4 in a row: Response 14-2; they then lose 6 of 7: Response 14-3 (thats current)

And all of that has brought the Sox to a huge 2 game lead. I hope, for your sake, they can continue those types of responses all year because it looks as if they will need to in order to stay ahead of the Yankees.